"Let There Be Light" - A place for conversation with the Rector of St. Paul's Memorial Church, 1700 University Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903
http://www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org/

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Holy Week: The palms are drying out, the days are wearing on

The palms from last Sunday still adorn our worship space, but
they are drying out and will soon disappear. The Cross will soon be veiled in
black, but not yet.

St. Paul’s at mid-holy Week is a bustle of activity. Extra
hands on Tuesday were cleaning floors. The office staff prepared newcomer
packets for Sunday and attended to a thousand other details. I tried to stay
out of the way by plugging away on a sermon in my office.

At noon, Father Nik led the Holy Eucharist in the Chapel. He
read from a long gospel passage about Jesus teaching in the Temple, and then he
bid us to sit in silence for a time to simply be in the presence of the Lord
and relax for a few moments.

I welcomed the quiet respite for a time. My eyes focused on
the palms behind the chapel altar (in the photograph at right). They look so dry
now. The week is wearing on.

When we were through, I went back to my office to work on my
sermon. But not getting much creative traction, I looked at my Facebook page.
It was ablaze with red-and-pink equality icons.

Many of my friends and relatives had bannered their Facebook pages with the icon
because The U.S. Supreme Court was hearing arguments Tuesday and Wednesday about whether gay people
should have the same right to marry as straight people.

I’ve long supported marriage rights for all people – gay or
straight. Marriage is for those who can make a serious commitment in love for
life to their partner. Marriage, as the Book of Common Prayer states, is first
and foremost for the “mutual joy” and support of those who make this
commitment. Sexual orientation is beside the point, or ought to be.

There is nothing in the Bible that puts limits on God’s call
to love-based marriage, but there is a great deal of bias in
our culture that is against it. Our culture is shifting, and for the better. We’ll see
if the Supreme Court agrees. I changed my profile picture to the red-and-pink
equality icon; it seemed like the holy thing to do this Holy Week.

The week is wearing on. And all things will be made new (and sermons will be written).

St. Paul's on Facebook

Click the photo above to find St. Paul's on Facebook

A word on words...

It is my hope that this blog will be a place of dialogue and conversation. But please consider that you are a guest in someone's home (mine). Angry yelling may work for talk-radio, but it doesn't work here. Take your anger elsewhere. Present your point of view respectfully, and be open to others having a different point of view. Be respectful. Have a conversation. Take a deep breath before you hit the "submit" button.

And, I shouldn't have to spell this out, but I will:

1- Comments that are hateful toward any individual or groups will be removed. Period.

2- Comments that promote a commercial product will also be removed.

3- Keep it tasteful; use common sense and watch your language (this is a church blog).

4- I will not be drawn into arguments with anyone leaving an anonymous posting. You can leave an opinion anonymously, and if it is respectful, I will leave it stand. But do not expect a response from me. Conversation requires both parties introducing themselves. You know who I am, so have the courage of your convictions and stand by your comment with your name. Then we'll talk.

The name of this blog is Fiat Lux -- "Let There Be Light." So, please, shed light, not heat.